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When should you call 9-1-1?

Only contact 9-1-1 in an emergency situation. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police/sheriff, the fire department or emergency medical services. If you are ever in doubt of whether a situation is an emergency you should call 9-1-1. It’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 call taker determine if you need emergency assistance.

EXAMPLES OF WHEN TO CALL 9-1-1

Medical Emergencies

Crime in progress

Structural fire

Domestic violence

Burglary or theft in progress

Car accident with life threatening injuries

Suspicious activities

Anything else that seems like an emergency!

DO NOT CALL 9-1-1

For information

When the power is out

To report a broken fire hydrant

When your water pipes burst

To get a ride for doctor’s appointment

For paying tickets

For your pet

To report potholes in the road

Tips on how to avoid unintentional calls to 9-1-1:

✅ Keep your phone securely stored when you're not using it.
✅ Lock your phone's keypad or use a screen lock feature.
✅ Avoid storing your phone in pockets or bags where buttons can get pressed accidentally.
✅ If you have a child or someone who might accidentally call 9-1-1, enable child lock or restrict access to the emergency dial feature.
Be familiar with your phone settings. The "SOS" feature on your phone is a valuable tool in the event of an emergency, but it is important to understand the features and how to use it. Learn more about "SOS" here.

Help 9-1-1 Help You 

  • Every second counts in emergency. Don’t hesitate to contact 9-1-1 first during an emergency for police, fire or medical assistance.
  • Get to a safe location before calling. If you are calling to report a fire, exit the burning building before calling.
  • Stay calm and answer all questions about your emergency.
  • State what help you need: police, fire or EMS/medical.
  • State your address, describe your location as completely as possible using cross streets or landmarks.
  • Stay on the line — do not hang up until the operator says it’s OK.